Should He Fast on the Fifteenth of Shabaan even if the Hadeeth Is Daeef?

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Muhammad Salih Al-Munajjid

http://www.islamqa.com

Text reviewer: Abu Adham Osama Omara

Islamic Propagation Office in Rabwah, Riyad

2009 - 1430

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0341 - 9002

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Is it permissible, even after finding out that a hadeeth is daeef (weak), to follow it, by way of doing righteous deeds? The hadeeth says: When it is halfway through Shabaan, spend that night in prayer and fast on that day. The fast is observed as a voluntary act of devotion to Allaah, as is spending that night in prayer (qiyaam al-layl). Praise be to Allaah. Firstly: What is narrated concerning the virtue of praying, fasting and worshipping on the fifteenth of Shabaan (an-nisf min Shabaan) does not come under the heading of daeef (weak), rather it comes under the heading of mawdoo (fabricated) and baatil (false). So it is not permissible to follow it or to act upon it, whether that is in doing righteous deeds or otherwise. A number of scholars ruled that the reports concerning that are false, such as Ibn Al-Jawzi in his book Al-Mawdooaat, 2/440-445; Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah in Al-Manaar Al-Muneef, no. 174- 177; Abu Shaamah AshShafii in Al-Baaith ala Inkaar Al-Bida wal-Hawaadith, 124-137; AlIraaqi in Takhreej Ihyaa Uloom Ad-Deen, no. 582. Shaykh Al-Islam [Ibn Taymiyah] narrated that there is consensus on the fact that they are false, in Majmoo Al-Fataawa, 28/138. Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Hukm AlIhtifaal bi Laylat An-Nisf min Shabaan (Ruling on celebrating the night of the fifteenth of Shabaan): Celebrating the night of the fifteenth of Shabaan (Laylat An-Nisf min Shabaan) by praying, etc. or singling out this day for fasting is a reprehensible bidah (innovation) according to the majority of scholars, and there is no basis for this in shareeah. And he (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
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There is no saheeh hadeeth concerning the night of the fifteenth of Shabaan (Laylat An-Nisf min Shabaan). All the ahaadeeth that have been narrated concerning that are mawdoo (fabricated) and daeef (weak), and have no basis. There is nothing special about this night, and no recitation of Quraan or prayer, whether alone or in congregation, is specified for this night. What some of the scholars have said about it being special is a weak opinion. It is not permissible to single it out for any special actions. This is the correct view. And Allaah is the source of strength. Fataawa Islamiyyah, 4/511. See also question no. 8907. Secondly: Even if we assume that the hadeeth is daeef (weak) and not mawdoo (fabricated), the correct scholarly view is that weak ahaadeeth should not be followed at all, even if they speak of righteous deeds or of targheeb and tarheeb (promises and warnings). The saheeh reports are sufficient and the Muslim has no need to follow the daeef reports. Nothing is known in Islam to suggest that this night or day is special, either from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or from his companions. The scholar Ahmad Shaakir said: There is no difference between rulings or righteous deeds; we do not take any of them from daeef reports, rather no one has the right to use any report as evidence unless it is proven to be soundly narrated from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in a saheeh or hasan hadeeth. Al-Baaith Al-Hatheeth, 1/278. For more information, see: Al-Qawl Al-Muneef fi Hukm Al-Aml bilHadeeth Ad-Daeef. See also the answer to question no. 44877. And Allaah knows best.
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